Keeping it real, so that you know you are not alone.

Pulling Back The Shades – a book launch

Well, friends, I’ve been selected for another book launch! I am very excited about this opportunity to introduce you to the book: “Pulling Back the Shades: Erotica, Intimacy, and the Longings of a Woman’s Heart” written by Dr. Juli Slattery and Dannah K. Gresh.

Allow me to begin this post by saying why I applied for this launch team. Quite frankly – I see the danger in what is becoming known as “mommy porn”. We’ve all heard about that book “Fifty Shades of Grey”. It has become a phenomenon.

Allow me to share some “Fifty Shades” facts with you:
– 70 Million copies sold in the US so far.
– Fastest selling paperback book EVER.
– It has been translated into over 50 languages.
– Was #1 on the NYT bestseller list for 30 weeks.
– The film rights were purchased by Universal for $5 million.
Quote from Business Insider:
“The 50 Shades craze has transformed the way women consume porn with the book becoming the first to sell more than 1 million copies on the Amazon Kindle.”

Here is one more fact: I have not read it. You may say that since I have not read it, I cannot speak about it. And I will not speak about the book itself. However my heart breaks for the women – young and old – who are getting drawn into this genre called “erotica”.

It’s time to be real. You see, I believe that sex is a gift from God. He designed it. He created it. He blessed it. I believe that sex – between a married man and woman – is beautiful. I hate that our world makes it cheap, and sleazy. So counter to what God intended for it to be. However I also understand the desire to escape. To get lost in a good work of fiction. To become the heroine and live through her adventures. I do not doubt for a moment that I could get drawn into this particular genre, enjoy it, and say “oh it’s just a book”. Which is exactly why I chose to stay away. You see, several years ago, when my daughter was a baby, I felt convicted about the books I was choosing to read. I was close to making the leap from “romance” to “erotica”. I felt God press upon my heart a question – “Would you want your daughter to read this? Remember, you are my daughter.” So that very day I tossed out every book that I would not want my girl reading.

When “Fifty Shades of Grey” was making big head lines, Dannah Gresh posted on her blog that she was not going to be reading the book. I loved her post because it reflected what was on my heart as well. I knew that it would be harmful to me and to my marriage.

However as I have seen how the craze started by this book has snowballed, my heart has continued to break for those that are falling for this trap. For what Satan is doing to the hearts of women everywhere. Because, truly I understand! We are women. We have desires, longings, needs. I get it. When those desires, longings, needs are not being met in our relationships we are tempted with the desire to look elsewhere. To a book, or movie. Sadly, some look to the arms of another. This is heartbreaking. This is not what God wants for us.

I have wonderful news for you!!

“Pulling Back The Shades” is here to help.
The book offers practical advice for women to address five core longings:

to be cherished by a man

to be protected by a strong man

to rescue a man

to be sexually alive

to escape reality

God designed women with these longings and has a plan to satisfy them.

I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming weeks, as we await the official launch of “Pulling Back the Shades” on March 1st! Mark your calendars. It’s going to be a big day. In the mean time, I’ll post some links for you to look at. And if you will, would you please pray. Pray for the hearts of women, pray for a revival in our churches. This is an issue that needs to be addressed. Pray for the book, the authors, those of us on the launch team. Pray about how you could be affected by this book.